Robinson Memorial Hospital is now using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) instead of a paper patient chart. The Federal Government has required that all hospitals have electronic medical records capability by 2015. Robinson Memorial Hospital is well ahead of that requirement.

The EMR allows patients to have a single, secure electronic medical record across all Robinson Memorial Hospital services from all locations including Robinson Health Affiliates, Inc. offices. Instead of retrieving patient information from multiple locations in a paper chart for patient history, doctors and nurses will access this information securely from portable electronic workstations, laptops or hand-held units that are universal across practices and hospital departments. “Up-to-date information on the patient is at the clinician’s fingertips thanks to the EMR,” states Stephen Francis, MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs. “And, because information is entered into the EMR in real time, the patient’s information is instantly accessible to healthcare providers of Robinson Memorial Hospital.”

This electronic system also integrates the hospital’s pharmacy, emergency care, ambulatory care and clinical documentation and billing as well. “The benefit of using an electronic system will be improvement in care coordination, enhanced efficiency in healthcare delivery, increased medication safety and improved patient experience across the entire Robinson Memorial Hospital system,” states Francis.

Robinson Memorial Hospital also released a patient portal in 2012 when it started transitioning its Robinson Health Affiliates, Inc. offices to EMR. Through this portal, patients from these offices are able to view portions of their medical records from anywhere internet access is available. The patient portal is available through the Robinson Memorial Hospital website at www.robinsonmemorial.org/patientportal.

“Patient safety and quality patient care have always been a top priority at Robinson Memorial Hospital,” states Francis. “The EMR system better enables us to continue to provide that kind of care to our patients. It is a very exciting time at the hospital.”

Other benefits to patients that will result from the EMR include:

Enhanced coordination of care within the Robinson Memorial Hospital network

Faster provider access to test results so decisions can be made quicker

Treatment and medication orders are made directly into the computerized system and alerts generated to that warn of any possible drug interaction or allergic reaction

Upon discharge, any prescriptions can be electronically sent to the patient’s pharmacy